Meet Señora Luzmila Cahuatijo or more commonly referred to as “Mamita.” She is a beautiful, caring and generous 80 year-old woman who has lived in Papallacta, Ecuador her entire life.
At 6 years-old her father refused to let her go to school because he believed education had no use. Instead, she went straight to work at the family coal business by carrying sacks of coal for miles to their clients. She also worked in the family’s restaurant “El Arriero” where they fed and hosted merchants traveling from Quito to Tena. She still owns the restaurant with her son and daughter-in-law, Javier and Diana.
Mamita is constantly shuffling around the restaurant in her green hat, beige apron and purple sweater offering to light a fire, make canelazo or blend some juice to all her customers. She said she has worked every day of her life and does not know how to relax and enjoy her elder years.
As I spoke with her she shared wise words with me. She said with a smile on her face: “Para qué desesperarse por el dinero? El dinero es necesario pero no debería consumir la vida. Las personas pobres saben que el dinero se debe usar para las cosas importantes. Porque saben que cuando llegas al cielo las cosas no van contigo, solo el alma.”
This woman’s kindness hit me to my core. I have never seen such kind, loving, inviting eyes. She is truly the embodiment of love and understanding.
Canelazo: a traditional Ecuadorian drink made up of panela (unrefined cane sugar), cinnamon and alcohol.
Translation: (“Why despair for money? Money is necessary but it should not consume your life. Poor people understand money should be used on what matters. Because they know when you arrive in heaven, material possessions don’t go with you; just your soul.”)